Marjorie smiled to Konnor. “I will say a Highland blessing for us.” She cleared her throat. “Let morning dew wash away any quarrel we may have with each other. Let the Rowan tree keep away any people thinking harm. May white heather bring good luck to us. On this blessed day, let the boundaries of time dissolve, and the strength of destiny bring our family a long and happy life.”
Konnor nodded and grinned, the special meaning of her last sentence apparent only to the three time travelers.
The reverend continued, “Do you, Marjorie, take Konnor to be your husband, in sickness and in health”—she cleared her throat— “in this century or another, as long as ye both shall live?”
Marjorie looked into Konnor’s eyes, and there was everything she’d ever wanted. Her prince who’d woken her up so that she could fight her own battle. The man who’d helped her be whole and herself again. The man who’d given her the life she’d never thought she’d have.
“Aye,” she said, and a smile so huge that it hurt spread on her face. “I do.”
He let out a small, happy exhale and smiled. God, he had a beautiful smile. Her stern, brooding man became happy and carefree, and he looked young and gorgeous with those dimples under his well-groomed scruff.
“Do you, Konnor, take Marjorie to be your wife, in sickness and in health, in this century, or another, as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” he said, and these two words caressed her and planted the most delicious feeling in her stomach, as though her blood had turned to honey wine.
The reverend looked at Colin, who stood with a bright smile on his face. “I believe there’s one more person who the couple wanted to ask. Do you, Colin, take Konnor as your father?”
Colin raised his chin and straightened his shoulders, his face serious and solemn. He met Konnor’s eyes, and there was light in them. “Aye. I do, Da.”
Konnor’s blue eyes watered, and he blinked to hold off tears. Konnor was the first and only father that Colin knew. And Marjorie couldn’t imagine a better one.
The reverend clapped her hands. “Ye may kiss the bride!”
Konnor took one step forward, took her into her arms, and kissed her. The guests around them erupted in cheers, but Marjorie didn’t hear them. His mouth was hot, plush, and delicious. His lips caressed and worshiped her, and she forgot everything and everyone else but her husband as she swam in an ocean of happiness.
Her blood boiled, her breasts aching as his hands went up and down her body, and when he stopped the kiss and pressed his forehead against hers, he whispered, “That’s it, my Highland queen. Our happily ever after is only beginning. You made me the happiest man in the world, and our family of three is all I want.”
She smiled. “We won’t be three for much longer. We’ll be a family of four. And ye miraculous modern medicine has already told me ‘tis a lass.”
He stilled and blinked and planted the most delicious kiss on her lips. He walked with her down the aisle as the guests showered them with white rose petals, and Marjorie thought of the moment he’d appeared in her life and given her hope. Hope for happiness. Hope she’d be able to come back to her true self. Hope that all the horrors in her life were behind her.
She knew just what their daughter’s name would be.
Conceived by time travelers. Blessed by Highland magic. Born in a different time.
Hope.
THE END